Claire's POV

I stood there shivering, a lot of questions on my mind, would my dad allow me to go? He seemed very serious. What do I do now? This is my only chance to find out more about David Don Carlos.

I was lost in thoughts, suddenly I felt a strong grip on my back.

It brought me back from the world of thoughts.

“Claire what's wrong?” A loud voice yelled.

It was my dad, his voice was louder and terrifying and his face still serious and unyielding to my plea. I knew there and then I knew that he wouldn't fall for my lies.

“Nothing Dad, just that ..

I stammered.

My dad smiled, his face still a little bit serious, with his thick moustache looking like that of Pablo Escobar.

“Claire, you're my daughter, you Gen Z generation , you think your parents don't want the best just because they're protecting you.” My dad whispered.

I understood his point, but the overprotection was too much. I don't even have the medium to do what I want. Everything I do I do to please him and mum.

But this time, I must rebel against the status quo. I don't care about the consequences.

As I stood there, staring at my dad's unflinching face I decided to come up with a different lie to get what I want.

“Dad I've thought about it, I don't just want to know Desmond Baggins I've agreed to the arrangement of marrying him so that our families can ignite as one.” I whispered I almost smiled at the lie I just told but I controlled myself.

My composure was maximum, but I knew my dad wouldn't fall for it. That's why he's my dad. I can't be too cunning for him, he always figures me out like he's done reading me like a book.

Well, if there's a trait I got from my dad, it's the wittiness. I'm pretty sure that's why we always play the game of wit and he keeps figuring me out. It's because he's my dad.

But this time I don't care about all that. I must leave this prison of a mansion. I need to explore David's world. He's hiding something from me. I must find out what it is.

Claire! Claire! My dad yelled but I was already lost in thoughts again.

Suddenly I heard a loud bang at the door, which almost deafened my ears.

This disrupted my thoughts immediately I snapped.

…..

“What the hell was that?”

“That was the tip of an iceberg. You better pay attention even when I am talking!” My dad snapped at me, his eyes glaring at me.

It was quite scary, so I had to shift back.

After I did, he dragged me close and whispered into my ears.

“Claire I'll give you the benefit of the doubt you're free to go see Desmond But on one condition.

Immediately I heard this, I became worried, I began to ask myself questions: what's he trying to do? I hope he's not trying to send one of his bodyguards to come with me.

“What's the condition Dad?” I asked Curiously, staring at him.

“Ond of my most reliable body guards will go with you, you'll be in good hands I promise he whispered smiling mischievously.

I frowned at him, but he didn't seem to be concerned; he just looked away.

“He'd probably change his mind “. I whispered to myself giving myself some good.

I waited for minutes, but my dad’s face was still turned, I cried, called him several times but he didn't even turn to look at me.

There and then I knew that his mind was made up, so I had to agree with him.

“Dad I agree but please why are you doing this? I'm not a baby so I don't need a babysitter so why send a bodyguard and not a celebrity? I don't need one.”

He turned to me, laughed and whispered.

“I know that you're not a baby, I'm just doing this to protect you Claire.”

“This is what you've been saying ever since I was little! Protect me! Protect me! Protect me from what exactly dad. I'm way older than twenty and I'm old enough to make my own decisions please!” I yelled.

“There are wolves and predators in the streets of Las Vegas looking for whom to devour and over my dead body will let my daughter fall prey to such i rather you hate me than me losing you! So like it or not.

Here's Olivier, my most trusted and loyal body guard is going with you as you leave

He has served the Smiths for years, he even served my father and now he serves me!”

He yelled, snapping his fingers and the huge Olivier showed up out of the blue.

"Bonjour, Messieur et Mesdame I'm at your service Madam Claire you don't need to worry you're in good hands you've heard whispers of my reputation haven't you.

No one dares cross paths with me, because they know I'll surely put them in the grave unless they're worthy enough to kill me.” Olivier whispered his eyes glowing like a very tiger.

“I'm ready to go dad!” I yelled reluctantly.

“So fast, calm down sweetheart won't you give your dad a hug before going.” He whispered his voice croaky and calm which gave me a slight opportunity to blackmail him emotionally.

I had to seize this opportunity, I gave him no response to see if he would persist.

Luckily for me he did.

….

“Claire, don't you want to give your Dad a hug?” He asked, his voice thickening.

“I'm not a baby dad, you admitted so since you don't want to treat me like an adult it's better I start acting like one and that doesn't include hugs.” I yelled and left the house accompanied by the annoying bodyguard Olivier.

As we got outside the house, I noticed a figure moving past us. I knew there and then that something fishy was about to happen.

Olivier stood there, close to a limo he was about to open the door for to get in. He had no idea what was going on.

Suddenly, I saw someone on top of a building waving hands at me, suddenly my phone buzzed, I gently brought it out and read the text.

“Claire my love what took you so long! Is tricking you dad so hard that you took time like that! When you get his message.

Now that I've sighted I'm in my friend's house can you see me waving my hands I have everything under control I sent some of my men to get rid of any obstacles to have. best regards Dave Don Carlos.”

The text left me hypnotized, because I didn't remember giving him my number. How did he even get it? Maybe those silly friends of mine gave it to him.

I don't have time to think it's time to act, I gently ran away suddenly someone my eyes were blindfolded.

I became terrified, and yelled.

Let me go! You better let me go right now if you know what's good for you! It seems you don't know who you're dealing with!”

“Shut your mouth! Whoever you are is none of our business! What we are interested in is best we stand to gain from your disappearance!” a deafening bass voice exploded.

Suddenly I heard a loud scream No! I recognized the voice, it was Olivier’s voice.

“How is that even possible Olivier is a very hefty guy what made him scream like that this is really serious.

But I couldn't do anything, I just felt hands dragging me suddenly I saw myself in a car and everywhere was dark.

…….

“Where am I? Who are you? You better let me go? You're playing with fire!"I yelled defensively.

“This one seems stubborn!” another voice yelled.

“Most of them are but with time they'll calm down. Don't worry, after we're done with her she'll keep her dirty mouth shut!” Another voice yelled.

“Who are you people? Let me go now? Do you know who my father is? He'll track you all down! Let me go now!” I yelled again..

But that ignored me. I could hear the chatter, whispers and laughter of people inside the car but I couldn't see their faces.

What is going on? Whatever it is, why did it get to do with me? Or have I been dragged into something by Dave Don Carlos just because of my desires to see his world.

Or is it now a crime for me to desire to know him more?

Whatever this is I must face it like a Smith.

I remember my grandfather's motivational words which he took to his grave.

…..

“Smiths don't shiver in the face of trouble nor do they quiver when they face whatever's in front of them without fear.”

I swallowed my saliva, pulled off the blindfold and began to kick the door.

I could hear the echo of the kicks, such that I was in an abandoned area in the middle of nowhere.

I still kept kicking it. Suddenly I felt a hand on my mouth. I tried yelling but I couldn't.

I tried pulling off the hands but the grip was very tight leaving me in a state of dilemma and uncertainty, my eyes gradually closing as my body weakened.

I had taken more than my body could handle. Now I can't even do anything again.

Where do I even begin from? This is a dead end. I hope to get myself out of this.